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Financial Aid Professional III

Financial Aid Professional III

University of ArizonaTucson, AZ, US
5 days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Financial Aid Professional III

The Program Coordinator, Processing is responsible for overseeing the administration, compliance, processing, and student / family support related to Title IV Aid and Private Education Loans with particular focus on aligning institutional practices with an evolving regulatory landscape. The selected candidate will serve in the Processing Unit, a team that performs a wide range of critical roles and functions within OSFA. The primary responsibility of this position is to ensure timely and accurate review, certification, disbursement, reconciliation, and communication related to Private Educational Loans and act as a subject matter expert for students, families, campus partners, and staff. In addition, as a member of the Processing team, this candidate must accurately and efficiently process, evaluate, review, and verify financial aid documentation and records to determine whether applicants meet federal, state, and institutional eligibility requirements.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A / ASU / NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Key Responsibilities :

  • Coordinate the processing and administration of financial aid and related documentation while working in a collaborative team environment.
  • Review and verify information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and supplemental documentation (including tax forms) in accordance with federal Title IV regulations to determine student eligibility through processes such as verification and professional judgment.
  • Ensure consistent compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies governing the provision of student financial aid.
  • Develop a working knowledge of all Title IV and institutional financial aid and scholarship programs, policies, and procedures.
  • Understand the Standard Aid Index (SAI) calculation and how it impacts the awarding of Title IV funds.
  • Help ensure a streamlined experience for University of Arizona students by encouraging timely completion of financial aid requirements, in coordination with colleges, departments, and external entities.
  • Identify and prioritize discrepancies and escalated cases; conduct research, provide solutions and strategies, and refer to appropriate resources or departments as necessary.
  • Participate in committees and assist with the research and interpretation of evolving federal regulations and institutional policies; help review and update institutional procedures to maintain compliance.
  • Engage in professional development, including federal credential certification, webinars, and participation in conferences through presenting, attending, and networking.
  • Occasionally represent OSFA at outreach events, working directly with high school counselors, students, and families to explain financial aid processes and answer questions.
  • Support the Client Services unit during peak processing periods, providing direct service to students and families.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned.

Private Loan Processing Management :

  • Coordinate all steps of private loan review, and certification utilizing appropriate systems including ELM and PeopleSoft (UAccess).
  • Hire, train, and supervise two to three student employees who are responsible for the processing of private loans to include review of student records, certification and awarding of Private Loan funds, and communicating with students regarding eligibility.
  • Responsible for adherence to private loan lender eligibility requirements and ensuring the coordination of students' aid packages aligns with institutional, federal and private lender policies.
  • Monitor enrollment and cost of attendance to prevent and resolve over-awards.
  • Maintain documentation and audit-ready records of all loan processing steps.
  • Assist in the development of new policies / procedures for PLUS and private loans.
  • Collect data and stats regarding private loan processing to communicate processing timelines and anticipate future needs to ensure service standards are met.
  • Engage in ongoing compliance reviews and support private loan processing updates in collaboration with OSFA leadership.
  • Develop and maintain Business Process Guides and student communications; ensure these are up-to-date and aligned with current policy and practices.
  • Collaborate with Client Services during peak periods to provide frontline support to students and families.
  • Develop and maintain Private loan content for websites, forms, and publications.
  • Support OSFA's loan manager with communication with private lenders, ensuring updated lender list and certification processes reflect current offerings and regulatory standards.
  • Serve as liaison between Loan Manager and Counseling team to ensure seamless support for University of Arizona students and staff.
  • Serve as a resource for escalated family or borrower questions.
  • Collaborate with OSFA leadership during implementation of anticipated AY27 Federal Direct Loan changes.

    • Partner with OSFA Communications and Literacy team to conduct outreach and education campaigns regarding loan borrowing. Partner with OSFA systems to ensure systematic needs are being met.

    Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

  • Extensive knowledge of Title IV federal student aid regulations, policies, and U.S. Department of Education systems.
  • Knowledge of FERPA and its implications for handling student records.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform high-volume work with accuracy, efficiency, and attention to detail.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing technical documents and training materials.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Word and Excel) and financial aid systems (PeopleSoft / UAccess, OnBase, Microsoft Forms).
  • Familiarity with ED systems such as COD, NSLDS, and FPS.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage professionally with students, families, and colleagues.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a commitment to continuous improvement and learning.

    • This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

    Minimum Qualifications :

  • Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of experience in Title IV financial aid and / or consumer, federal direct or private educational loan processing or equivalent education and experience

    • Preferred Qualifications :

  • Experience working with Consumer Loans and / or Private Educational Loans.
  • Experience interpreting federal regulations and operationalizing policy changes.
  • NASFAA Credentials.
  • Strong communication, customer service, and project management skills and experience.

    • Exempt

    Full Time

    40

    1.0

    Fiscal

    Finance

    Yes - Full Benefits

    DOE

    salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

    The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education / training, key skills, and internal equity. The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

    PC3

    Financial Aid

    Student Services

    Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

    Wesley Tolliver wtolliver@arizona.edu

    11 / 3 / 2025

    Yes

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